Thousands of people packed into Manchester’s Albert Square in a mass sing-along to celebrate the lives of those killed in the terror attack one year ago.
The Manchester Together – With One Voice event ended an emotional day of remembrance and solidarity through music to mark the first anniversary of the Manchester Arena bombing which claimed the lives of 22 people.
A host of choirs lead the concert singing songs by Manchester legends Oasis and Ariana Grande – whose concert was targeted by bomber terrorist Salman Abedi.
The evening of kicked off with a series of video messages on a big screen from some famous names – including many Mancunians.
A 30-minute communal singalong finale brought the event to a crescendo with performances of Don’t Look Back In Anger by Oasis, One Day Like This by Elbow, Grande’s One Last Time, Never Forget by Take That and The Beatles’ All You Need Is Love.
To loud cheers, Manchester United great Ryan Giggs said: ‘Manchester is a city of music and is a city of love, and we are sending out love and prayers on this emotional day.’ Mani from The Stone Roses told the crowds: ‘One voice Manchester. Sing it up.’
Liam Fray, of The Courteeners, said: ‘We are a proud city of love and I will be thinking of each and every one of you on this very emotional and very difficult day.’ In other video messages, musician Johnny Marr, formerly of Manchester band The Smiths, said: ‘I wish I was with you tonight.
‘My heart is always going to be in Manchester, always has been and always will be. ‘I am proud to be a Mancunian. ‘I am sure it will be an emotional occasion.’
While the Happy Mondays’ Shaun Ryder said: ‘I am thinking of you. In fact I know I love you all big time massive. ‘I am going to send 0161 love and peace vibes to the world.’
Speaking on stage, the Lord Mayor of Manchester, Councillor Joan Hitchen, said: ‘Tonight the city of Manchester continues to demonstrate our solidarity to those who were affected by the terrible events of one year ago.”
She thanked the brave men and women of the various emergency responders who helped ‘bring our Manchester together again’. The crowd responded with huge applause as she said: ‘Weren’t they brilliant?’ She went on: ‘We also stand in solidarity with each other as Mancunians and tonight we are going to show the world that we stand together.’
The Bishop of Manchester, Reverend Dr David Walker, told the audience: ‘We are a city of music so it is appropriate that we come together to let our music come to the forefront of who we are. ‘We are going to hear some fantastic choirs tonight.
That is the the way we do things together. ‘Doing things together makes us stronger and makes us Manchester.’ At 10.31pm, bells rung out across the city to mark the exact time of the arena attack.
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